Altagracia Pierre Heurtelou Obituary (1937 - 2023)

Mrs. Altagracia Pierre Heurtelou, 86, died peacefully on February 12, 2023 at the Cooperman St. Barnabas medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey. Born on January 4, 1937 to Mr. Transtamar Pierre and his wife, Eugenia (nee Bois), she was named after the Province of La Altagracia in the Dominican Republic, where her mother had been in pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Altagracia in the town of Higuey. During her early years, she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Edouard Etienne. The passing of her mother while a teenager had a great impact on her life. She began working at an early age and gained maturity while developing a sense of autonomy and fashioning her vision for life. During that time, her children, who were the joy of her life, were born. When she met Jacques Heurtelou, she completed the family she had always wanted. In him, she found a dutiful husband, a good friend, a business partner and, most importantly, a father to her children. In the mid-sixties, Tata, as she was affectionately called by relatives and friends, immigrated to the United States as part of the early migration of Haitians to the States. She set up residency in the East Coast, living in Connecticut briefly, then in New Jersey and New York. She worked in the hotel industry, which enabled her to purchase her first house in Brooklyn where her children joined her shortly thereafter. Mrs. Altagracia was an entrepreneur with an acute sense of business. In the mid-seventies, she realized her dream of opening a store in the neighborhood where she grew up. She oversaw the successful management of that store for many years. After Mrs. Heurtelou retired, her time was spent between the two places she called home: 1) in the States, where she visited her children and grand-children during the warmer seasons, and 2) in her lovely property in Haiti, where she spent time working in her gardens during the winter months. There, it was her joy to welcome her children and their friends, friends and relatives alike. It was also during those years she focused her efforts in helping many nieces, nephews, her friends' children, through educational sponsorships, or the ropes of starting up their small businesses. Mrs. Altagracia was a devoted mother who taught her children perseverance, determination, honesty, integrity, and the importance of education. She was a caring wife who embodied love and kindness. She supported her husband throughout their 55 years of marriage. As a friend, her advice was regularly sought. As a mentor and a seasoned woman, she offered an attentive ear and gave counsel honestly. As a Christian, she practiced her faith in generous, tangible ways, and made a difference in many a life. She was admired by all who knew her. Mrs. Heurtelou is survived by her children, Joel Pierre, Chantal Pierre Foreste, and Frantz Delsoin; Evens and Daniel Heurtelou; Marie Berthe El Saieh; her son-in-law Fritz Foreste; her daughters-in-law: Margaret Malette, Charlotte Henry, and Yolene Delsoin; her honorary daughters Phara Juste-Revut and Yolene Jean, who were by her side for years with their respective husbands Jean Yves Revut and Ajax; her honorary son, Jethro Theano, whom she could depend on during her senior years. She is also survived by many grandchildren: Patrick Foreste and his wife Sydney, Stephanie Pierre-Desir and her husband Ralph Desir, Melissa and Naomi Delsoin, Philippe Foreste, Monique Foreste-Grabow and her husband Michael Grabow; Natacha Morales, Nassim El Saieh; Nastassia, Doralese, Ian, Doriane, and Edwin Heurtelou; Adriel Revut, and Gardy Dennis. Sher felt very blessed when each of her great-grandchildren were born. She delighted in holding them: Makayla, Skylar, Audrey, Noah, Penelope, Sophia, and Roya. Mrs. Altagracia outlived her brothers, Ulrick and Wilner, and sisters, Ghislaine, and Eunide - all deceased prior to 2001, and her sister Paulette who passed away three years ago. She is survived by her siblings, Yvette Pierre Mervilus, Jacques Cochy, and Lydie Pierre Joseph, wife to her primary physician, her brother-in-law, Dr. Yvacito Joseph. She was close to many nieces and nephews, namely: Joelle, Dominique, Mildred Darlene, and Monie Mervilus; Margareth, Catherine, and Karoll Victor; Roseline, Tamara, Venoute, and Safira Pierre; Leita and Michaelle Joseph; Chantal Coutard; Marie Michelle Heurtelou; Marjorie Dumesle; Mac Farlane Mervilus; Jean Villele Victor; Yves, Maxime, Fedner, Patrick, and Harry Pierre; and William Joseph. She is survived by many cousins, namely Jeanine, Ginette, Marie, Marcel and Romuald Pierre. Throughout her life, Mrs. Altagracia held deep friendship and, over the years, many friends had become family. Friends like Ketly Constant, Yanick Dupera, Soeur Maude; Fabiola Toussaint, The Girls, and Gloria Gilliard. During the past few days, Mrs. Altagrace Heurtelou was surrounded by the love of her children who stood guard by her side, friends and relatives that visited her, and words of affection and encouragement from those who telephoned her. A woman of faith, she prayed with her children and thanked them for being so steadfast and caring. She expired peacefully, surrounded by Chantal, Joel, and Frantz, her soul rejoicing to join her Father for lasting peace in the Eternal Kingdom. Our condolences to the Heurtelou, Pierre, Foreste, Delsoin, Grabow, Desir, Mervilus, Cochy, Joseph, El Saieh, Dennis, Malette, Henry, Dumesle, Victor, Zephirin, Revut, Jean, Coutard, Constant, Dupera, Toussaint, and Gilliard families. Our condolences to the members of L'Eglise Rocher de Jacob who sustained Mrs. Heurtelou in love and prayers these past few years.